Simply Gospel

May my steps be worship. May my thoughts be praise.

  • A Foundation of Fear or Love?

    Jesus encouraged the populace to listen to the teachings of the Pharisees while disregarding their examples, and this leads to a question: Is it possible to do the right thing for the wrong reason? Does the wrong motivation invalidate the right action? Jonah, for example, is a character who demonstrates reluctance to preach to the Assyrians, but he finally caves in – seemingly hoping that the people would not repent, bringing judgment upon themselves. Pharisees were examples of prayer and charity, but they performed these acts for the attention of others. Also, I Corinthians 13 addresses this issue in the… Continue reading

  • Testing Every Spirit

    God’s people have always wrested with understanding whether or not a doctrine or a practice is from God. However, God has not left His people without solution. In the Old Testament, in Deuteronomy 18:20-22, God basically says that the prophets were to be tested in their words. If their prediction comes to pass, they are from God. However, their would be some times when prophecies would extend past normal lifetimes. In Jeremiah 28 and Amos 7 offers a litmus test: fulfillment, relevance, and agreement with the rest of God’s word. “Testing Spirits” Modern individuals continue to try to reinvent Jesus… Continue reading

  • Enduring the Christian Journey

    The speaker shared his experiences with his recent hike down and up the Grand Canyon in one day, a challenge that was both extremely difficult and extremely rewarding. Great effort was involved, but the journey was a completely unique experience. This journey contains parallels with our Christian journey. Our Christian Journey Very few attempt this journey. Only 5% of visitors to the Grand Canyon venture below the rim of the canyon, and only 1% hike down to the Colorado River. Often, we barely scratch the surface of what it means to be a Christian, and it can be difficult to… Continue reading

  • Maintaining Our Character

    I Thessalonians 5:21 instructs to examine all things, and this process is not only for external influences but for ourselves as well. We have a reputation that others see in us, but it may or may not reflect the character within us – which is what God knows about us. However, that opinion others have of us can influence our self esteem. We can think highly of ourselves or very lowly. Neither the opinions of others or our own self image can be truly accurate measures of the type of person we are. That character that God sees is the… Continue reading

  • More Than a Label

    Christianity should be more than a label in our lives. It should be a quality that exemplifies our actions. It should be a word that characterizes our entire personality. Faith (to paraphrase Shakespeare) is not a fashion. It is a commitment, and it is a commitment that involves actions driven by that faith. If we truly apply what it means to be a Christian, we may turn out to be very different individuals. Faith in Action A Foundation of Faith. In I Peter 3:15, the apostle encourages to be able to explain our faith. We do not do what we… Continue reading

  • Growing Through Trials

    My grandfather once said, “If you ever find yourself in the doghouse, don’t waste time putting up curtains.” Grandmother once said, “There is no good excuse for bad behavior.” These little phrases and bits of wisdom tend to stick with us and come back to memory when needed. Secular wisdom, quotes, and truisms often help us understand our lives or give us motivation. For example, John F. Kennedy once said, “We do not do these things because they are easy but because they are hard.” Difficulties in Being a Christian The most valuable goals in our lives are often not… Continue reading

  • Taking After Our Father

    There is a certain familial resemblance between parents and their children. In I John 5:18 speaks of those who are born of God, and he encourages to follow a pattern of life that emulates His character. I John 2:1 opens with an encouragement to avoid sin. A parent wishes his or her child to follow the pattern set, and children inherit and learn certain behaviors and characteristics from that parent. Being Children of God The concept of being children of God is an important one in the scriptures. Back in II Samuel 7:12-16, Solomon is referred to in the immediate… Continue reading

  • Washing Away Our Sins

    Is baptism for past sins, present sins, or future sins? On the surface this might not seem like a difficult question, but there is some depth here to investigate. What sins are washed away by baptism? Washing Sins Away Matthew 26:26-29 records the last supper of Christ, and, in this, Jesus says His blood is poured out for many – those willing to receive it. Also, Luke 24:44-48 says Christ’s followers were to offer this salvation to all nations, Romans 1:16-17 additionally states this salvation is for all who believe. The gospel is for all, and baptism washes away sins.… Continue reading

  • I Know Whom I Have Believed

    What do you know about your faith? In a recent book called Religious Literacy, author Stephen Prothero critiques the general theological ignorance of the United States – usually credited as the most religious nation in the world. Some statistics cited point to fewer than half of American adults know that Genesis is the first book of the Bible. Half can only name one of the four gospels, and more than 10% believe Noah’s wife was Joan of Arc. There is a difference between faith and blind faith. If you are reading this portion of my site, I assume you are… Continue reading

    ,

  • Meaningful Worship

    What attitude do we have when we enter into worship of God? How do we view the act of worship, and what importance do we place on that action? We may fall into mundane patterns of comfortable repetition, and we allow life to exit the worship process in our attempts to keep worship proper and truthful. There are several Greek words translated as worship, but the most common has connotations of showing homage and respect, bowing down, and humbling one’s self in reverence before the object of worship. Worship is derived from “worth,” and the point of worship is to… Continue reading